Filters For: Cornflakes

For General Qualities

Packaging

Cornflakes shall be packed in high-density polyethylene bags alone or they shall be first packed
in high-density polyethylene bags, properly sealed, and then placed in cardboard cartons. As per Indian Standard, the bags used for packing cornflakes shall be made of 300 gauge high-density polyethylene of thickness 0.075 mm.

Marking

The following particulars shall be marked/labelled on each pack:

Name of material and trademark, if any

Name and address of manufacturer

Batch or code number

Net weight

Date of manufacture

Nutritional information

MRP

FSSAI license number

The words ‘Best before’ (date to be given by manufacturer)

Customer-care details

Logo indicating ‘vegetarian’ status

All brands had correct labelling.

Ash Insoluble in Dilute Hydrochloric Acid (HCL)

As per FSS Regulations, in cornflakes the ash insoluble in dilute HCL content – an indicator of dirt
and dust in the product – shall not be more than 0.1per cent by mass (on dry basis). Low ash content is good for consumers.

All the seven brands passed this test. The least amount was found in Patanjali, followed by Mum’s.

Parameters Tested

Lead

As per FSS Regulations, lead in cornflakes shall not be more than 2.5 ppm (for ‘foods not specified’ category)

Lead content was not detected in any of the brands.

Moisture Content

As per Indian Standard and FSS Regulations, moisture content in cornflakes shall not be more than 7.5 per cent by mass. It may be noted that cornflakes with less amount of moisture is better as it translates into a longer shelf life.

Moisture content in all the brands was within the specified limit. The least amount was found in Patanjali, followed by Kellogg’s.

Physicochemical Parameters

Total Dietary Fibre

Dietary fibre has many health benefits. It can
reduce one’s risk for heart disease, diabetes and some
cancers, and also help in weight control. Fibre is
important for digestive health too.

Protein

Protein is an essential nutrient. It plays an
important role in cellular maintenance, growth and
functioning of the human body. Protein in cornflakes
is considered to be better.

The highest amount of protein was found in Mum’s (10.8 per cent) and the lowest in Tops (5.80 per cent).

Salt as Sodium

It is used for seasoning as well as food preservation.
Salt also inhibits the growth of bacteria in a food
item. In most of the cornflakes brands, sodium
chloride and sodium bicarbonate have been added in
the end product for better shelf life, uniform texture
and acceptability of taste.The daily requirement for sodium intake in the
average diet is a maximum two grams. No requirement
has been specified in the national standard for salt
content in cornflakes. It should, however, be added
in moderate quantity.

Total Ash

As per the Indian Standard and FSS Regulations,
the percentage of total ash, excluding salt, in
cornflakes shall not be more than 1.0 per cent (on
dry-weight basis).

Total ash in all brands was within the maximum
permissible limit. It was lowest in Tops (0.54 per
cent) and highest in Kellogg’s (0.80 per cent).

Acid-Insoluble Ash

Acid-insoluble ash indicates the presence of sand,
dirt and dust. As per the Indian Standards, acid insoluble
ash in dilute HCL in cornflakes should not
be more than 0.05 per cent; as per FSS Regulations, it
should not be more than 0.1 per cent (on dry-weight
basis).

Acid-insoluble ash was found within the specified
limits. It was lowest in Kellogg’s and Reliance (0.020
per cent), and highest in Patanjali (0.035 per cent).

Alcoholic Acidity

As per FSS Regulations, alcoholic acidity (with 90
per cent alcohol) of cornflakes should be equivalent
to not more than 2.0 ml.

All the brands met the requirement for alcoholic
acidity.

Moisture

Moisture generally refers to the presence of water
in a product. It may be noted that cornflakes with
less amount of moisture is better as it translates into
a longer shelf life. As per Indian Standard and FSS
Regulations, moisture content in cornflakes shall not
be more than 7.5 per cent by mass.

Moisture content in all the brands of cornflakes was
within the specified limit.

The lowest moisture content was in Mohun’s (2.24
per cent), followed by Murginns (2.98 per cent).
Patanjali was found with higher moisture content
(4.94 per cent).

Energy Value

Energy value is the amount of calories which our
body obtains from food. While there is no requirement
prescribed in the national standards, energy value is
expected to be higher in cornflakes.

Among the tested brands, energy value was highest in
Kellogg’s (388 kcal/100 gm), followed by Murginns
(387 kcal/100 gm).

Crude Fibre

Crude fibre is a measure of the quantity of
indigestible cellulose, pentosans, lignin and other
components of this type present in food. As per
Indian Standards, crude fibre should not be more
than 0.75 per cent in cornflakes.

Crude fibre was found within the specified limit in all
the brands of cornflakes.

Sieves Test

The test is conducted to check the small/breakage
pieces/coarse powder of flakes. Not more than eight
per cent (by mass) of the material shall pass through
a 2 mm sieve.

All the brands passed in this test.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are a source of energy.
Carbohydrates are the sugars, starches and fibres
found in fruits, grains and vegetables and milk
products. Though often maligned in trendy diets,
carbohydrates are one of the basic food groups and
are important to a healthy life. No requirement for
carbohydrates in cornflakes has been specified in the
national standards.

Carbohydrates percentage was highest in Tops (88.5)
and lowest in Mum’s (83.61).

Iron

Iron, one of the most abundant metals on earth,
is essential to most life forms and to normal human
physiology. Iron is an integral part of many proteins
and enzymes that maintain good health. It expected
to be higher in cornflakes.
This is an important parameter in terms of brands’
claim verification – most of the brands of cornflakes
make claims of being iron-fortified.

Iron was found highest in Murginns (22.27 mg/100
grams), followed by Kellogg’s (11.73 mg/100 grams).
It was lowest in Mohun’s (0.75 mg/100 grams).

Fat

The fat component adds richness of flavour and
contributes to a smooth texture. In cornflakes the
fat content may be due to presence of corn’s natural
oil. There is no requirement for fat content in the
national standards.

Fat in the tested brands was found between 0.12 per
cent (Tops) and 1.22 per cent (Patanjali). Some of
the brands made claims of being ‘low in fat’.

For Microbiological Activity

Microbiological contamination is a very serious
issue for food products. For cornflakes, we conducted
tests for total plate count (TPC) as well as yeast and
mould. These microorganisms are responsible for
many food-borne diseases. Due to improper or poor
hygienic condition during the manufacturing process,
microorganisms may occur in the finished product.

For Sensory Attributes

Score out of 20

Sensory panel tests were conducted in a test lab
with volunteers, under the guidance and supervision
of technical experts. These five attributes were
judged by the panellists and ratings were then given
on a five-point scale: namely colour and appearance,
flavour, taste (with milk and without milk), aftertaste
feel and overall acceptability.

Savour was the most liked brand among panellists, and
was followed by Diet n Lite and Murginns.